CHAPTER TEN! I can't believe I've gotten this far. Yay, me for continuing a project and yay those who have read and reviewed. ^_^

Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters and anything Harry Potter related is owned by J. K. Rowling.

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The third floor bathroom was left thankfully deserted by Moaning Myrtle. I was able to cry a little without interruption. When I could hear the hall emptying outside the door I realized that classes would be starting soon. I wiped my tears and washed my face before heading to my class.

When I arrived to class I made sure to sit towards the back and away from the windows. I did not need the light to show everyone how bad I felt.

My classes went by normally and all too soon it was time for super. I slouched on the way to the Great Hall dreading seeing Harry and Ron. I walked in relieved to see that Ginny was sitting on the opposite end of the table from them. I quickly walked to a spot next to her while ignoring two pairs of staring eyes.

"Hermione, nice to see you at this end", Ginny exclaimed.

"Hi, Gin", I greeted while sitting.

"Is something wrong?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, you're not sitting with the other two-thirds of the Golden Trio."

"We are just having an argument."

"Hmm, this early in the year?"

"Yep, it will blow over", I stated trying to get Ginny away from the topic.

"I hope so. Hogwarts just isn't the same without you three strutting around together."

"Strutting?"

"Yeah, they don't call you three the Golden Trio for nothing."

It is more like the unbreakable duo, I thought to myself.

"What are you up to tonight", Ginny asked.

"I have to patrol tonight. Actually I have to find Malfoy and tell him he has to also."

"Why don't you just get a first year to do it? Everyone seems to use them as messengers."

I looked towards the Slytherin table to notice that Malfoy was not present.

"Well, it looks like I am going to have to look for him."

I started to gather my things.

"Hermione, you're not hungry?"

"No", I stated while shrugging on my bag. "I will see you later, Gin."

I walked away not even caring if Harry and Ron noticed. Something told me that I should try the Head common room first.

"Hey, Panacea and Alexander", I exclaimed to the two guardians.

"Hermione, how have you been today", asked Alexander.

"My day could have been better. How has your day been?"

"Oh, it has been marvelous darling", Panacea answered for Alexander in a sarcastic tone. "We sat here, wondered to a few nearby frames and then made our way back here."

"Well, at least you got to travel", I smartly answered back.

"Hmm", Panacea leaned over to Alexander, "maybe I like this girl after all. She maybe a know-it-all but she has a little spunk."

I blushed at her compliment and then stated the password. I walked in relieved to find Malfoy sitting on the couch staring at an empty fire place.

"Malfoy", I called near the entrance afraid to go near him. "We have patrol tonight."

"Hmm", was all that he answered.

"We still have thirty minutes until dinner is finished."

"It's dinner time", he asked a bit surprised.

"Yeah, you were not there so I came to find you."

Malfoy turned towards me with an eyebrow raised up.

"You did not see me at dinner, so you came to look for me?"

"Yes, I told you. We have to patrol tonight but we have…"

"…thirty minutes 'til dinner is over", he finished.

"Yes."

"So, we can sit and wait."

Malfoy scooted over to the right side of the couch and gestured to the left side. I walked slowly towards the couch and sat down hesitantly. We sat in silence in the dark common room for a long while. I tried my best not to fidget but got tempted by an inch on my right arm. When I finally got the courage to move Malfoy jumped up.

"I guess we should be going now."

I followed him out of the common room and got blinded by the sudden light of the corridor.

"Where should we start first", I asked.

"Why don't we start with dungeons? Maybe we can start on a better foot this time", suggested Malfoy.

"Sure, why not."

We silently made our way to the dungeons and walked along the stone walls scanning the area. When we found nothing out of place we started to ascend back to the main level. On the way up the stairs I could hear some heavy breathing coming from Malfoy. When we got to the main level he looked like he had just run a lap around the quidditch pitch.

"Are you okay", I asked out of concern.

"What does it matter to you Granger", he snapped back.

I decided to keep my mouth closed and not ask anymore questions. I decided that if he wanted to be the third stubborn male I encountered today then it would be his problem, not mine. When we reached the third level though, I could not ignore him. His breathing started to become shallow and as we passed a torch I could see perspiration dripping from his forehead.

"Malfoy, are you sure something is not wrong?"

"I'm fine Granger. I just wish I had something to drink earlier. I'm feeling a bit nauseated."

"Do you need to sit down?"

Malfoy waved away my comment.

"I fine, I just wish things would stop moving."

"What?" I looked around. "Nothing is moving."

"Really, because everything I'm looking at is."

"Malfoy?"

"Hmm."

I grabbed his shoulder to make him stop walking.

"Let us go see the nurse", I suggested.

"Okay, but I need you to catch me, Hermione."

Just then Malfoy fainted and fell sideways into my arms.

Oh no, I thought to myself. He just fainted.

I started to panic but taking a look at Malfoy set my cogs into motion. I repositioned him so that I could check his pulse. Relieved to feel the pulse I knew I had time to get him to Madame Pomfrey.

I decided to use a levitation spell in order to carry him more easily. When we reached the infirmary I started to yell.

"Madame Pomfrey, I need your help!"

The nurse rushed through a door with a moan.

"Help me left him up to a bed, Miss Granger."

We both led his body to the closet bed I could reach. Madame Pomfrey automatically started examining his body.

"What happened?"

"We were patrolling and as we were climbing stairs he started to get out of breath. By the time we reached the third floor corridor he was taking in shallow breaths and sweating profusely. Oh, and he was complaining about things moving, but I did not see anything moving and then shortly afterward he fainted."

I allowed myself a deep breath.

"Well, Miss Granger it seems that he is a little malnourished."

I thought to myself that that would make sense.

"He was not at lunch or dinner today."

"Have you noticed him skipping meals beforehand?"

"No, I have not. He is usually in the Great Hall when everyone else is, which is why I noticed his absence today."

"Well, I will be keeping a close eye on him. You may return to your quarters."

"What about Professor McGonagall? Should I not go tell her?"

"I will take care of that. You may leave."

I walked out of the infirmary but not without a last glance at Malfoy.

When I got into my room I sat on my bed exhausted by the recent activity. I was hoping that Malfoy would be okay. He looked so sunken engulfed by the infirmary bed. His appearance though was not the only thing that pulled at my mind. Malfoy had called me by my first name. I did not know what that meant. The slip could have been due to him being disoriented. I was not sure, but I decided that I should put it off until a later time. I needed sleep incase Malfoy could not make it to the prefects meeting tomorrow.